An interview with DCI Paul Lambotte, Head of AVCIS
Detective Chief Inspector, Paul Lambotte is head of The Association of Chief Police Officers Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (AVCIS). AVCIS was officially launched in December 2006 by the Policing Minister Mr Vernon Coaker, supported by Sir Ken Jones QPM the President of the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO), to specifically tackle vehicle-enabled crime. As well as investigating vehicle theft, the use of vehicles in acquisitive crimes, such as burglary, supporting serious and organised crime, and potential links to terrorist offences; AVCIS also incorporates TruckPol, the national freight crime intelligence service, and the Vehicle Fraud Unit who investigate organised finance fraud.
Q: What are the most common crimes fleet drivers become a victim of?
A: Like all road users they are vulnerable to theft when the vehicle is left unattended. As fleet drivers, they may well be using the roads more, and as such, it is likely they will have to park away from office/home more often. This means that they are leaving a vehicle in an unfamiliar place.
Q. For fleet managers, what are the most important measures to take to protect their fleet vehicles from crime?
A: Sound general crime prevention advice, insist that drivers secure vehicles, take reasonable steps to park them in recognised areas. Do not leave valuables in sight. Do not allow keys out of their possession.
Q: There have been many reports to suggest that as anti-theft devices get more sophisticated, thieves have taken to attacking the weakest links in a car’s security – the driver and the car keys through methods such as car jacking and key snatching. Is it at all possible to minimise the risk for these offences?
A: As above, be aware of your environment. Do not leave keys on show near a front door to the house and lock car doors when driving.
Q: What about crash for cash? How does a driver identify and prove that he is a victim and not the guilty party?
A: In most cases the driver will have no idea there is a fraud. All they can do is comply with the law in providing details at the scene and if they are suspicious of the incident, make a full report raising the concerns to the insurance company at the earliest opportunity.
Q: With controversy over the recent Home Office figures reporting the theft of car keys from the owner’s home as burglary rather than vehicle crime, do you expect to see a big leap in the vehicle crime statistics when the annual figures are released in April?
A: What recent controversy? We do hope for a more accurate figure this year due to some changes in the counting systems, but there are still areas which may fall through the net. For example, fraud. If a car is obtained fraudulently; it may not be recorded as a car crime. We are working to address these issues.
Q. Your TruckPol division is looking for private investors, why is it important to keep this division going?
A: It is vital to support the Freight Industry. Crime of this type have a significant impact on the economy of the UK. The partnership with the industry allows for a complete dialogue, a forum for the operators to share experience and concerns.
Q: How do fleets ensure that vehicles are not sub-let to them?
It is important for fleet operators to be sure who they are dealing with. Use recognised sources and if there are concerns about the supplier then request information and guarantees. Sub let vehicles may have been obtained through fraud and serious crime.
Q: Why is the level of recovered stolen vehicles so low and how can fleets ensure that their vehicles are recoverable?
A: The UK recovery rate for stolen vehicles is around 53 per cent. This is poor in relation to most of our EU partners. AVCIS has a target to increase this to around 65 per cent in five years, but this can only be achieved through greater collaboration with the insurance industry. As an island, the organised criminal groups export vehicles through the ports with relative ease. This combined with the high specification of vehicles sold through the UK market makes it a profitable exercise for the criminal.
Operators can increase the recovery rate in a number of ways, becoming a partner organisation with AVCIS will get an enhanced policing response, as we have dedicated teams investigating members crimes.
Commercially the use of vehicle locating devices to protect fleets will increase the chance of recovery once there has been a policing response.
Q: Do the police run any fleet-specific courses to help drivers become better motorists?
A: It has traditionally been the Institute of Advanced Motorists who have provided training in respect of driving. Police do run campaigns with the Home Office to promote safety and consideration.
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